Teaching device for tying knots

ABSTRACT

A device to aid in the demonstration of the tying of knots is described. The device encompasses a tower with a base, a length of rope or twine, and eyelets on the tower to accept the rope. Optional features include a latch at the end of the rope, and a device for storage of the rope.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of training devices and more particularly to a training device for the demonstration and learning of the art of tying knots in rope or string.

BACKGROUND

Included in the researched prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,833 B2. This US patent issued on Jul. 2, 2002, to inventors Lusk and Lusk. The invention described therein is a knot teaching system, and thus is in the same field as the current invention. However, the device is not at all a board, or a tower, but a 3-dimensional fishhook-like device.

Related art is also presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,200, which issued on Oct. 3, 1999 to inventors Ryder et al. This patent describes a board-mounted device for facilitating the tying of a knot in fishing line. It looks quite a bit different from the current invention, and suffers the drawback of being essentially two-dimensional.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,119, which issued on Aug. 16, 1988 to inventor Miraglia, is also of related interest. The invention therein described is a learning device for teaching young children to tie simple knots.

Although the above prior art is considered to be relevant to the current invention, no description has been found that anticipates the current invention, nor that renders the current invention obvious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described and presented is a mechanical device for the assistance of a demonstration of knots, and the tying of knots. The following objects of the invention are presented by means of illustration only, and are in no manner meant to limit the scope of the current invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-complex platform to display knots in rope or twine.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a means to display various forms of knots.

It is further an object of the present invention to achieve comfort through ergonomic design of the device.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an easily visible display of knots, and of the process of tying a knot.

It is further an object of the present invention to produce a tasteful and esthetically pleasing article that could be displayed in a home or school.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The many objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a device of the current invention from above.

FIG. 2 shows detail of the tower of the current invention, a latch end of the rope, and the rope used to demonstrate a knot. Also shown is the rope storage unit.

FIG. 3 shows a device of the current invention from a frontal view.

FIG. 4 displays a device of the current invention from a side perspective view.

FIG. 5 displays the underside of the device of the current invention from a position underneath the base.

FIG. 6 displays a device of the current invention from the reverse side perspective view.

FIG. 7 illustrates a device of the current invention from a rear view.

FIG. 8 illustrates, from a frontal view, a person holding a device of the current invention.

FIG. 9 shows the rope storage unit with rope attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

The present invention comprises a compact wooden display tower on a pedestal or base, and a rope. The display tower is preferably stained and finished to offer a pleasing presentation. The tower sits upright on the horizontal base. The display is designed to rest on a table.

Distributed around the surface of the display tower are eyelets or hooks. These are preferably made of brass, or plated with brass, adding to the distinctive pleasing appearance of the device. The eyelets or hooks must be of a sufficiently adequate size such that the rope can pass through the openings within each eyelet or hook.

Preferably the eyelets are positioned at varying heights from the base. This allows for several knots to be demonstrated at one time, and easily distinguished from each other by height above ground.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention 100 is shown from a perspective view. The invention comprises a display tower 200, a tower base 300, and a plurality of eyelets 50. One such eyelet 50 is shown attached to an optional latching device 500. Device 500 has an eyelet at one end, which acts as a portable eyelet. Also shown is the rope 10 as used for demonstration of knot tying techniques.

FIG. 2 displays a side view of a magnified portion of the same preferred embodiment of the present invention. Displayed in FIG. 2 is a portion of the display tower 200, rope 10, and a plurality of eyelets 50. Prominent in FIG. 2 is the optional latching device 500. Device 500 has an eyelet at one end, which acts as a portable eyelet. Thus, the operator (whose hand is shown) has just tied a knot around the portable eyelet. The latching device 500 is attached via its latching end to one of the eyelets 50. The operator can detach device 500, in order to move the knot 600 closer to an observer for detailed observation. This may be of especial use in a classroom situation.

FIG. 3 displays another side view of the same preferred embodiment of the present invention. This is a less preferred view of the various components of the invention, including display tower 200, tower base 300, and a plurality of eyelets 50. Also shown is the rope 10, but latching device 500 is hidden behind tower 200, and knot 600 is only partially visible. This would be a poor position from which to display knots, and the tying of knots.

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of the current invention from yet another side view. This is a good view of the various components of the invention, including display tower 200, tower base 300, and a plurality of eyelets 50. Also shown are the rope 10, and latching device 500. This would be an alternate position from which to display knots, and the tying of knots, with respect to the preferred frontal view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates detail of the spindle 400 for the collection of excess rope. The collection device need not take this form, and indeed the display tower will work for its intended purpose without any rope collection device whatsoever. However, it adds to the convenience of the display of knots to have a length of rope available, and a take-up spindle to store the length when not needed for display purposes.

FIG. 6 images the embodiment of the current invention with the rope spindle 400 attached. This is a preferred embodiment of the invention, with its various components including display tower 200, tower base 300, and a plurality of eyelets 50. Also shown is the rope 10, but latching device 500 is partially hidden behind tower 200, and knot 600 is barely visible.

FIG. 7 shows the invention from the top, which is clearly not a good viewing position to observe the knot. The knot 600 is not visible, and is thus not a good viewing position for knot tying technique.

FIG. 8 displays the bottom side 250 of base 300. In the center of base underneath side 250 is a screw head 275. This indicates a screw is used to attach base 300 to display tower 200. Other attachment means are contemplated, such as nailing or gluing. Also contemplated is one-piece unibody construction, in which base 300 and display tower 200 constitutes a single body.

FIG. 9 show further views of a preferred embodiment of the present invention from a front plan view. This view shows an excellent position for visualizing knot 600, and the tying of the knot. This is a front perspective view. This would be a good viewing position in a classroom, a video, or even for a casual viewer interested in the tying of knots.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A device to aid in the demonstration of the tying of knots, comprising: an elongated tower; a flat base, from which said tower extends vertically; and, means for attachment of rope to said tower, wherein such means for attachment are distributed on the outer surface of said tower.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for attachment comprise eyelets.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said eyelets are distributed with one eyelet per side of said tower, and one on the top thereof.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein said eyelets are positioned at varying heights above the base.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein said eyelets are positioned such that no two eyelets rest at the same height above the base.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom of said base comprises attachment means to attach the base to the tower.
 7. The device of claim 1, further including a length of rope.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said rope comprises a width such that the rope can be passed through the openings of said eyelets.
 9. The device of claim 7, further comprising storage means for excess length of rope.
 10. The device of claim 7, further comprising a latching device at the free end of the rope.
 11. A device to aid in the demonstration of the tying of knots, comprising: an elongated tower; a flat base, from which said tower extends vertically; a plurality of eyelets distributed on the outer surface of said tower, a rope, a storage device for said rope, and, a latching device at the end of said rope. 